English Martyrs Catholic Primary School Nursery Review

At the December 2023 inspection, home visits and stay-and-play sessions gave the start at English Martyrs a family focus: contact began before children started school. That made settling part of the provision, rather than simply something to tackle on the first day.

The nursery belongs to English Martyrs Catholic Primary School on Dewsbury Road in Wakefield. It sits within a Catholic primary school whose age range begins at three. Ofsted graded the school's early years provision Good at the inspection on 13 and 14 December 2023. This is an early years judgement within the school inspection.

Early reading gives the learning day a clear point of reference. In December 2023, phonics teaching followed a consistent approach across early years and the next stage of school. Phonics connects written letters with sounds, and the practical emphasis was on matching reading books to the sounds pupils were learning. That gives children opportunities to practise what they have been taught rather than tackle unfamiliar sounds too soon.

Reading support also extended to families, with staff helping parents support reading at home. For a parent, the useful connection is between the sounds being taught and the practice a child can continue outside school. Where pupils had difficulty with reading, teachers provided prompt help, supporting fluency and confidence. These findings concern early reading across the school, including early years; they should be understood in that scope.

Before starting, families could take part in stay-and-play sessions and receive home visits. Those two forms of contact offer different opportunities: a child can become acquainted with school through play, while a home visit gives the family a chance to meet staff in familiar surroundings. The starting relationship includes parents as well as children.

In December 2023, early years staff recognised additional needs relating to learning and behaviour promptly, enabling children to receive help early. That is a meaningful strength for families concerned about how a child's needs will be recognised at the beginning of school life.

Safeguarding responsibilities include a designated lead at each academy in the Bishop Konstant Catholic Academy Trust. Concerns about a child's welfare should go to the relevant school's safeguarding officer, giving families a clear route for raising a concern.

Attending the nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions route and meet the normal deadline. Treat the nursery decision and the Reception application as separate tasks: choosing this early years provision does not settle where a child will attend Reception.

English Martyrs is at Dewsbury Road, Wakefield, WF2 9DD. The school telephone number is 01924 299244, providing a direct contact point for nursery enquiries. Keep the nursery enquiry separate from the later Reception application so that both stages receive attention.